Spinning spindle



Nov. 2, 1937.

G. H. MAGRATH SPINNING SPINDLE Filed Sept. 7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 frwezztor, e02" eE/Va rat MW? Amy's.

Filed Sept. 7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E Jizvjerzlar Patented Nov. 2, 1937 PATENT OFFICE SPINNING SPINDLE George H. Magrath whitinsville, Mass, assignor to The Whitin Machine Works, Whitinsville, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 7, 1934, Serial No.-743,047

'l (Cl. 308-152) This invention relates to spinning machines and more particularly to a spindle mounting and associated mechanism.

The present-day spinning machines are de- 5 signed to operate atvery high speeds, for example, 12,000 to 15,000 R. P. M., and due to the stresses and strains imposed on the rotating parts at such high speeds, the design must be such as to permit a rotating spindle to center itself, and also to insure proper lubrication of the rotating parts. In all commercial constructions a bolster and parts associated therewith support the spindle for rotation at its lower end and at points adjacent to its center, the bolster 15 being secured within a bolster case which serves as a reservoir for lubricating oil. In some constructions the bolster case is provided with an extension or collar so that the bearing members supporting the center of the spindle may run in 20 oil when the proper oil level is maintained in the bolster case, whereas in other constructions the splashing of the oil by the rotating parts is depended upon for lubrication. In either case it is not only absolutely essential that the bolster case 25 be oil-tight and free from any defects which eventually might develop into leaks, but also that means be provided for preventing the lubricating oil from being thrown from the rotating parts and .working its way to the outer surface of the case 30 and whirl.

In manufacturing bolster cases in accordance with the established practice, the bolster case is first cast and then reamed, machined and threaded, after which it is for the first time tested by 35 subjecting it to compressed air so as to ascertain which is designed so as to insure an efficient and I thorough lubrication of all rotating parts and to 50 avoid any danger of the lubricant being thrown or carried to the outer surface of the case and whirl.

, Other objects of the invention are to provide a spindle mounting which is of simple design and 55 of strong and durable construction, embodying seal.

a minimum number of parts which may be dismembered so that repairs and replacements may be quickly made at a slight expense, and which is reliable and efficient in operation; to provide a spindle which is supported .on antifriction bearing members which permit the spindle to center itself when in operation and which are constructed and arranged so that the spindle may be readily removed and replaced without dismembering or deranging the associated parts.

Further objects relate to various features of the construction and tothe operation of my improved spindle and will be apparent from a con* sideration of the following description-and accompanying drawings which show difi'erent embodiments of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of a spindle and mounting therefor constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the bolster, antifriction bearing members and lubricating cup;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the lubricati C p;

Fi 5. is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation showing a modifled construction;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6; and f Fig. 8.is a sectional elevation showing another modified construction The-embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, comprises a bolster case I which may be of conventional form andconstruction, having an exteriorly threaded portion 2' or other suitable means by which it may be securely attached to the frame 3 of a spinning machine. The upper 40 end of the bolster case is preferably provided with a beveled end 5 which slopes inwardly and downwardly as shown in Fig. 1. An elongate tubular member or bolster 6 has a sliding fit within the bolster case and its upper end preferably is flared outwardly so as to seat squarely on the beveled shoulder 5 of the bolster case. The bolster 6 may beof steel tubing and its lower end is closed by awasher or disk I which has a forced fit therein, the end of the tubing being turned inwardly to provide an oil-tight The bolster '6 may be secured within the case by any suitable means such as a set screw 9.

A step bearing l 0 loosely fits within the bolster 6 and is supported by the washer l. Guiding means for confining the movement of the bearing in to paths extending transversely of/the aids of the bolster are provided, and, as here shown, com- Prise a series of superposed centralizing rings I i, alternate rings having their outer peripheries snugly fitting against the inner wall of the bolster and their inner peripheries spaced from the bearing l0, and the other rings snugly fitting about the bearing l0 with their outer peripheries spaced from the wall of the bolster, as shown in Fig. 1. A retaining ring I! fits snugly within the bolster and is preferably supported by the centralizing rings and/or the step bearing, the inner diameter of the ring I2 preferably being greater than the diameter of the lower end of the blade It: so as not to interfere with the movement of the end of the blade.

The upper end of the bolster is provided with a sleeve or collar l6 which has a pressed fit within its upper end and which loosely fits about the blade l5, as shown in Fig. 1. The collar l6 Pr jects beyond the upper end of the bolster and its central portion is provided with an opening H which communicates with the annular trough defined by the flaring end of the bolster and collar, thus providing a return for lubricant tending to accumulate therein. The lower end of the collar l6 provides an annular abutment l8 about the inner wall of the bolster, the utility of which is pointed out hereinafter. 7

Between the upper end of the collar l6 and the bolster are antifriction bearing members which may comprise an inner race ring. 20 having a pressed fit about the collar IS, an outer race ring 2| having a snug sliding fit against the inner periphery of the driving flange 23 of the whirl 24, and ball bearing members 22 interposed between the inner and outer race rings, the construction and arrangement being such as to permit the whirl and blade to be removed and replaced without the necessity of dismembering parts or making adjustments.

A lubricating cup 25 is carried by the collar I 6 and, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, comprises inner and outer flanges or walls 27 and 28, respectively, connected by an integral web portion 29 which provides the bottom of the cup. The inner flange 21 is preferably of less height than the outer flange 28 and has a pressed fit about the upper end of the collar E6, the upper ends of the flange and collar being flush with each other and the bottom of the cup 25 is spaced from the upper end of the race rings 20 and 2!, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The diameter of the outer flange 28 is slightly less than that of the inner periphery of the-driving flange so that when in assembled relation with the whirl there is a slight clearance between these parts. The bottom wall or web 29 is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced openings and a wick member30 passes in and out through these openings as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The openings in the bottom 29 of the lubricating movement of the step bearing Ill and associated centralizing rings.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the general construction and arrangement of certain of the parts are somewhat similar to those of the previously described embodiment and the same numerals are used to designate the corresponding parts. In this embodiment, however, the bolster case is entirely dispensed with and a tubular member or bolster 6 of modified construction is provided. The bolster i5 may be of cast iron or steel,. or. it may be made from a length of tubing, and in either case it is provided with an exteriorly threaded portion 2 or other means by which it may be securely attached to the frame 3 of the spinning machine. The lower end of the bolster is provided with a tight-fitting plug 4 and its upper end is provided with an inwardly inclined bevel portion.

The supporting washer or disk I has a pressed fit within the-bolster and the step bearing to, centralizing rings ll, retaining ring l2, and the spring 35 are assembled within the bolster 6 as in the previously described embodiment,

The bore at the upper end of the bolster may, if desired, be slightly enlarged so as to accommodate a bushing l4 within which a sleeve or collar I6 has a pressed fit, the lower end of the collar and/0r bushing providing an annular abutment l8 against which the upper end of the spring 35 presses. The collar l6 loosely fits about the blade l5 and its upper end is provided with a hardened surface having a circumferential groove for the reception of ball bearings 22, this end constituting the inner race of an antifriction bearing member which provides a support for the blade and whirl. The outer race ring 2! has a sliding fit against the inner periphery of the driving flange 23 so as to permit the removal and replacement of the blade and whirl without dismembering any of the associated parts.

The lubricating cup 25 has a pressed fit about the end of the collar l6 and its outer wall 21 is spaced from the inner periphery of the whirl and its bottom spaced from the bearing members as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The arrangement of the wick 30 and openings in the lubricating cup 25 is such as to register with the ball bearings 22 and the openings H in the collar may be provided for the return of lubricant tending to accumulate in the upper end of the bolster, as in the previously described embodiment.

In both embodiments the construction and arrangement of parts is such that the step bearing supporting the lower end of the blade is permitted sutficient freedom of movement to allow the blade to center itself when rotating at high speeds, and the rotating parts are held. out of contact with the bolster and associated parts except at their two points of support. In both arrangements an eflicient and thorough lubrication is assured as the lubricant contained within the bolster is carried upwardly into the lubricating cup where it is distributed on the rotating bearings, the excess accumulating in the trough at the top of the bolster where it is returned back into the lower part of the bolster.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a further modification wherein the construction of the lower part of the bolster or tubular casing 6 and the parts whirl and which has 9. depending inwardly ofiset skirt portion having a pressed fit within the upper end of the casing 6 and providing an annular shoulder I3 within the neck 8.

The antifriction bearing members which support the blade and whirl comprise an outer ririg or sleeve 38 disposed against the inner periphery of the neck 8, a" plurality of circumferentially disposed roller bearings 40, the inner faces of which contact directly with the blade l5, anda pair of inwardly' directed retaining rings or flanges M and 42 at the upper and lower ends of the rollers, respectively. The assemblage is retained within the neck 8 by a ring 44 which has a pressed fit within the neck and is operative to hold the assemblage in place upon the shoulder l3. The lower end of the depending skirt of the neck 8 provides an annular abutment, 48 against which the upper end of the compressed coil spring 35 presses, as in both of the previously described embodiments. As above noted, the construction of the lower end of the casing 6 and parts disposed therein is the same In this embodiment, as in both of the pre-j viously described embodiments, the construction and arrangement are such that the rotating parts are held out of contact with the stationary parts except at their two points of support. This construction is also such that the blade may center itself when operating at high speeds and that both the blade and whirl members may be easily removed and replaced without dismembering or deranging any of the associated parts.

While I have shown and described different embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood.- that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that various changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A spindle construction comprising afixed support, an elongate tubular member rigidly secured to said support and having a closed lower end, a step bearing loosely mounted in said lower end and movable in paths extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, a blade rotatably supported at its lower end on said step bearing, a cylindrical sleeve, the lower end of which is secured to the upper end'of said tubular member and the upper end of which pro .iects beyond the end of said tubular member and surrounds said blade, a whirl secured to said blade and surrounding the upper end of said tubular member and sleeve, antifriction bearin members interposed between the upper end of said sleeve and the inner periphery of said whirl,

and a coil compression spring interposed between the lower end of said sleeve and said step bearing, said spring being operative yieldingly to restrain the freedom of movement of said step bearing.

2. A spindle construction comprising a fixed support, an elongate tubular member rigidly secured to said support and having a closed lower end, a step bearing mounted in said lower end and freely movable in paths extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, a blade rotatably supported at its lower end on said step bearing, a cylindrical sleeve, the

lower end of which is secured to the upper end of said tubular member and the upper end of which projects beyond the end of said tubular member and surrounds said blade, a whirl scoured to said blade and surrounding the upper end of said tubular member and sleeve, antifriction bearing members comprising an inner race secured to the upper end of said sleeve, an outer race having a sliding fit against the inner periphery of said whirl and bearings secured between said inner and outer race, and a coil compression spring interposed between the lower end of said sleeve and said step bearing, said spring being operative yieldingly to restrain the freedom of movement of said stepbearing.

3. A spindle construction comprising a fixed support, an elongate tubular member rigidly secured to said support and having a" closed lower end, a step bearing mounted in said lower end and freely movable in paths extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, a blade rotatably supported at its lower end on said step bearing, a cylindrical sleeve, the lower end of which is secured to the upper end of said tubular member and the upper end of which projects beyond the end of said tubular member, said sleeve surrounding said blade and having a hardened upper end constituting an inner race, an outer race ring having a sliding fit against the'inner periphery of said whirl, a plurality of bearing members interposed between said outer race ring and inner race, and a coil compression spring interposed between the lower end of said sleeve and said step bearing, said spring being operative yieldingly to restrain the freedom of movement of said step bearing.

4. A spindle construction comprising a fixed support, an elongate tubular member rigidly secured to said support and having a closed lower end, a step bearing mounted in said lower end and freely movable in paths extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, a blade rotatably supported at its lower and on said step bearing, a cylindrical sleeve, the lower end of which is secured to the upper end of said tubular member and the upper end of which projects beyond the end of said tubular member and surrounds said blade, a whirl secured to said blade and surrounding the upper end of said tubular member and sleeve, antifriction bearing members interposed between the upper end of said sleeve and the inner periphery of said whirl, a lubricating cup secured to the upper end of said sleeve above said bearing members and operative to distribute lubricant on said bearing members, and a coil compression spring interposed between the lower end of said sleeve and said step bearing, said spring being opera.- tive yieldingly to restrain the freedom of movement of said step bearing.

5. A spindle construction comprising a fixed member and surrounds said blade, a whirl se-- cured to said blade and surrounding the upper end of said tubular member and sleeve, antifriction bearing members comprising an inner race secured to the upper end of said sleeve, an

cured to said support and having a closed lower end, a step bearing mounted in said lower end and freely movable in paths extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, a blade rotatably supported at its lower end on said step bearing, a cylindrical sleeve, the lower end of which is'secured to the upper end of said tubular member and the upper end of which projects beyond the end of said tubular member, said sleeve surrounding said blade and having a hardened upper end constituting an inner race, an outer race ring having a sliding fit against the inner periphery of said whirl, a plurality of bearing members interposed between said outer race ring and the inner race, a lubrieating cup secured to the upper end of said sleeve above said bearing members and operative to distribute lubricant on said bearing members, and

a. coil compression spring interposed between the lower end of said sleeve and said step bearing, said spring being operative yieldingly to restrain the freedom of movement of said step bearing.

7. A spindle construction comprising a fixedsupport, an elongate tubular member rigidly secured to said support and having a closed lower end, a step bearing mounted in said lower end and freely movable in paths extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubularmember, a blade rotatably supported at its lower end on said step bearing, an annular shoulder within said tubular member and spaced from its upper end, antifriction bearing members supported on said shoulder and including roller bearings contacting at their inner faces with the periphery of said blade, an abutment on the inner surface of said tubular member below said antifriction bearing members, and a coil compression spring interposed between said abutment and step bearing, said spring being operative yieldingly to restrain the freedom of movement of said step bearing.

GEORGE H. MAGRATH. 

